FOREST SERVICE. 525 



were prepared. A considerable number of previously unknown spe- 

 cies were c-ollected. 



Over 500 artificial reseedin^j experiments, conducted upon 85 for- 

 ests, tend to prove that artificial leseeding of range lands is practi- 

 cable only under the most favorable conditions and upon compara- 

 tively limited areas. The intensive study of means of regenerating 

 depleted ranges by natural reseeding, conducted on the AVallowa 

 Forest, was discontinued at the close of the season of 1911. The 

 principles developed by this study are being given practical applica- 

 tion upon a number of national forests. Upon the Ilayden Forest 

 the application of the principles is in accordance with a carefully 

 prepared working plan which provides for studies of the effect of 

 alternate grazing, limited grazing, and total exclusion of stock. 



The study of the relation of soil acidity to the growth of plants 

 continued throughout the year. 



The experiments within the coyote-proof pasture on the Wallowa 

 Forest were completed at the close of 1911, having fully demon- 

 strated the advantages of this method of handling sheep, and the 

 pasture has been turned over to the Biological Survey, which has 

 stocked it with elk. The study to determine the practicability of 

 using small coyote-proof inclosures in connection with range lamb- 

 ing grounds was continued, with results strongly confirmatory of 

 previous findings. The saving which is effected by the reduction in 

 the amount of labor required and in the loss of sheep more than 

 offsets the cost of the construction and maintenance of the inclosures. 

 The inclosures will he maintained for a number of j'cars to serve as 

 examples to stock growlers, and observations will be made each year. 

 No other detailed experiments to determine improved methods of 

 handling stock were carried on during the year, but general obser- 

 vations were made and plans were prepared for future studies of 

 methods of using range Avithout water for sheep grazing; of the 

 most effective and economical methods of developing st(X3k-watering 

 places upon forest lands; of methods of reclaiming mountain mead- 

 ows dc]")]eted by erosion; of improved methods of handling sheep; of 

 methods by which the grazing capacity of forest lands may be deter- 

 mined with more exactness; and of the extent to which the grazing 

 of stock minimizes the fire risk. Adequate prosecution of tlie range 

 iuAcstigative work calls for a larger force than could be employed 

 with the funds available. 



GAME PRESEEVATION. 



There were no additions during the year to the number of game 

 refuges or preserves within the national forests, nor was there any 

 material change in the status of tliose previously existing, viz, the 

 AVichita and the Grand Canyon national game refuges and the various 

 State game preserves located within the Bighorn, Boise, Gallatin, Mon- 

 terey, Minnesota, Superior, Teton, and Targliee National Forests. The 

 majority of the forest ofllcers engaged in administering these areas 

 hold commissions as deputy State i2;ame wardens and eirectively assist 

 State officers in enforcing the local game laws. Throughout all of 

 (he national forests a vigorous effort was made to protect the game 

 animals and birds from slangliter and molestation within their nat- 

 ural breeding grounds, while the destruction of predatory animals 



